Ramon “Mon” Delgado always had a knack for cutting hair. Growing up in a small town in Batangas, he would watch the old neighborhood barber with fascination the quick snips of scissors, the steady hand with a razor, and the chatter that filled the tiny shop. By the time he was a teenager, Mon was already cutting the hair of his cousins and friends, charging them a few pesos or sometimes just asking for a merienda in return.
Life wasn’t easy for Mon’s family. His father worked odd jobs while his mother sold vegetables in the market. After high school, Mon couldn’t afford to continue college, so he decided to train formally as a barber. With borrowed clippers and secondhand scissors, he began offering cheap haircuts in a small corner of their home. Soon, neighbors lined up, and he became known as the go to barber in their barangay.
But as much as he enjoyed his work, the income wasn’t enough to sustain his family. With his younger siblings still studying and his parents getting older, Mon knew he had to look for better opportunities. That’s when he heard about an agency recruiting barbers for the Middle East. At first, he hesitated after all, being a barber abroad didn’t sound like the typical OFW dream job. But the salary offer was more than double what he made at home, and with it came the possibility of finally giving his family a more comfortable life.
Moon soon found himself in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, working in a modern barbershop inside a bustling shopping mall. The first weeks were tough most customers spoke Arabic, and he had to quickly learn basic phrases just to understand the styles they wanted. Some were particular about fades, others wanted precise beard trims, and many expected him to be fast and flawless. There were moments when he doubted himself, but Mon reminded himself of why he came: his family.
With time, he built confidence. Customers appreciated his attention to detail, his steady hands, and the warm Filipino hospitality he brought to the shop. Soon, regulars were asking specially for Ramon. He became known for more than just giving sharp cuts he listened to his clients, laughed with them, and made them feel comfortable.
For Mon, every haircut carried a story. There was the young man nervous about his first job interview, the father preparing for his daughter’s wedding, and the soldier heading back home after months of deployment. Each haircut reminded Mon that his role wasn’t just about grooming it was about giving people confidence.
Despite the long hours and occasional homesickness, Mon remained dedicated. His sacrifices paid off his remittances funded his siblings education, repaired their old house, and allowed his parents to live more comfortably.
After years abroad, Mon finally saved enough to return home and open his own barbershop in Batangas. He named it Cuts & Stories as a reminder of his journey and the countless lives he touched with his craft. The shop quickly became popular, not only for the clean fades and stylish cuts but also for the warm conversations that Mon was known for.
Looking back, Mon realized that being a barber, whether in the Philippines or abroad, was never just about scissors and clippers. It was about service, trust, and the human connections built in the chair. His story was proof that even a simple skill, when done with heart, could change lives and bring dreams to reality.
